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UK MPs have strongly condemned the Iranian regime’s brutal crackdown on protests, calling for an immediate end to killings and respect for fundamental human rights. Thousands of lives have been lost in the bloodiest repression in over a decade. Lawmakers demand accountability for Iranian security forces and reaffirm support for freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and human rights. Full coverage from APT.
#IranProtests #UKParliament #IranianCrackdown #HumanRights #FreedomOfExpression #G7 #UKPolitics #IranRegime
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpLEtz3H0jSfEneSdf1YKnw/join
UK MPs have strongly condemned the Iranian regime’s brutal crackdown on protests, calling for an immediate end to killings and respect for fundamental human rights. Thousands of lives have been lost in the bloodiest repression in over a decade. Lawmakers demand accountability for Iranian security forces and reaffirm support for freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and human rights. Full coverage from APT.
#IranProtests #UKParliament #IranianCrackdown #HumanRights #FreedomOfExpression #G7 #UKPolitics #IranRegime
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NewsTranscript
00:00We'll now begin the urgent question, Shadow Foreign Secretary, Dane Petit-Pete.
00:08Madam Deputy Speaker, to ask the Secretary of State for the FCDO if she'll make a statement
00:12on the British Government's response to the brutal crackdown on the protests by the Iranian regime.
00:17Madam Deputy Speaker, the United Kingdom condemns, in the strongest of terms,
00:25the horrendous killing of Iranian protesters, and the most brutal and bloody repression
00:30against public protest in Iran for at least 13 years.
00:35The Iranian authorities must immediately end the abhorrent killings
00:39and uphold the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Iran's citizens,
00:44including the rights to freedom of expression, to seek, receive and impart information,
00:49and the freedom of association and peaceful assembly, without fear of reprisal.
00:55The Iranian security forces must be held accountable for the deliberate use of violence
00:59that has claimed thousands of lives.
01:03On the 13th of January, the Foreign Secretary was clear in her statement to this House
01:07and delivered that message directly to the Iranian Foreign Minister.
01:12The Prime Minister has issued a joint statement alongside the Chancellor of Germany
01:16and the President of France.
01:18On the 15th of January, alongside our G7 partners,
01:21we strongly condemned Iran and announced our readiness to oppose additional restrictive measures
01:26if Iran continues to crack down on protests and dissent
01:30in violation of their international human rights obligations.
01:34We publicly called out Iran's crackdown at the UN Security Council meeting on the 15th of January,
01:39and we have now secured a special section of the Human Rights Council in Geneva,
01:44which will take place on the 23rd of January.
01:46On the 13th of January, I summoned the Iranian ambassador to underline the gravity of this moment
01:54and to call on Iran to answer for the horrific reports that we have heard.
01:59On the 1st of October, Madam Deputy Speaker, alongside our E3 partners France and Germany,
02:06the UK implemented a snapback in full
02:08by reinstating the six previously terminated United Nations sanctions resolutions on Iran.
02:15We're going further by bringing forward legislation to implement more sectoral measures.
02:20We have already designated key players in Iran's oil, energy, nuclear and financial systems,
02:26and further measures will target finance, energy, transport and other significant industries.
02:33We will continue to work with the European Union and our other partners
02:38to explore what additional measures might be needed in response to these most recent developments.
02:44Shout out to the Foreign Secretary.
02:45Madam Deputy Speaker, since last week's statement, we're seeing more information
02:49about the horrific brutality the despotic regime in Tehran has inflicted
02:54and the bloodshed they are responsible for against their own citizens.
02:58Reports from medics in country are saying that the figure could be as high as 18,000
03:02men, women and children dead, slaughtered in cold blood.
03:07Reports also suggest that up to 360,000 people could be injured,
03:12with those wounded left dying due to shortages of blood in hospital.
03:16This is an affront to humanity, and there must be accountability,
03:20including for the use of execution show trials.
03:25The regime is one of the most consistently vile and brutal in the world,
03:29and the government cannot stand by, and we need to understand
03:32what more they are doing in response to the latest barbaric revelations and actions.
03:38So what is the government's assessment of the numbers killed and injured,
03:41and the brutal tactics used by the regime?
03:43What do they make of reports that the regime may have used chemical weapons
03:48in the recent attacks on its own civilians?
03:50What assessment has been undertaken of those imprisoned and being tortured?
03:55The principal victims of this vile regime are the Iranian people themselves.
04:00What did their ambassador say when he was summoned last week at the Foreign Office?
04:05And what did their foreign minister say when they were called,
04:08when he was called by the Foreign Secretary?
04:10Once again, Madam Deputy Speaker, protesters in Iran seek freedom from tyranny,
04:15and the response from the West just has been shameful, as Iranians have been slaughtered.
04:19Iran continues to pose a threat to us all, and our interests,
04:23with their sponsoring of terrorism and their nuclear programme.
04:26The US State Department remarked on Saturday that it had heard reports
04:30that the Islamic Republic is preparing options to target American bases.
04:34Given that Britain has many joint military bases with the US and the region,
04:38what is being done to secure those assets?
04:41What is the latest assessment on Iran's nuclear enrichment programme
04:44and ballistic missile capability?
04:46And what is being done to strip Iran off those weapons?
04:49And with Phase 2 of the Gaza Peace Plan being implemented,
04:53what is being done to stop Iranians' sponsorship of Hamas
04:57and other terrorist groups undermining the efforts to secure peace in the region?
05:01This is not a time to be timid,
05:03as the response to these continued atrocities continues to be shamefully muted.
05:09Minister.
05:11Madam Deputy Speaker, the right vulnerable lady asks important questions.
05:15Let me turn first off to the question of numbers.
05:18I do not want to give the House an artificial sense of precision
05:21when the internet remains restricted since the 8th of January.
05:25There clearly have been many deaths.
05:28We believe them to be in their thousands.
05:30We will not put a more precise figure on it at this time
05:33because to do so would be at risk of misleading the House
05:35that we have a more precise picture than we do.
05:39That does not in any way take away from the strength of our condemnation.
05:43A variety of rationales have been provided by the Iranian regime,
05:47both in private and in public.
05:49They have claimed that they were responding to armed protesters.
05:54They have complained that others are seeking to interfere in their internal affairs.
05:58Let me be absolutely clear.
06:00There is no excuse for the scale of bloodshed
06:03that we have seen in relation to these protests.
06:06And it is not to seek to interfere in Iran's internal affairs
06:10to say that those protesters have rights,
06:12rights of assembly, rights to protest,
06:15and rights to have their internet turned back on.
06:17Chair of the Select Committee, Emily Thornberry.
06:19Madam Deputy Speaker, I know that the Minister shares with me
06:23and probably most of the House
06:24a deep affection for the Iranian people,
06:27for their beautiful country and their extraordinary culture,
06:30which makes the killing that we have seen,
06:33the terrible violence that we have seen,
06:34even worse than we could possibly imagine.
06:36But the question I want to ask the Minister is this.
06:40Can he give the House confidence that Britain and the international community
06:44will not now abandon the Iranian people out of geopolitical expediency?
06:53Madam Deputy Speaker, we will not.
06:55The Iranian people, as I said in my answer to the Shadow Foreign Secretary,
06:58have rights.
06:58They are rights that we hold dear in this place.
07:01They are rights we hold dear in this country.
07:03And we will continue to press these points with the Iranian regime.
07:06Liberal Democrats, spokesperson Callum Miller.
07:08Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.
07:10Since the Foreign Secretary's statement last week, Ayatollah Khamenei,
07:13has confirmed the death of thousands of protesters,
07:16yet he has again deflected responsibility for the brutal crackdown by his regime.
07:20The Foreign Secretary told the House last week that sanctions against the leaders of the regime
07:25and the prescription of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps
07:28relied upon new legislation or instruments.
07:31We have waited too long for this.
07:33Will the Minister today give the House a date by which this will be introduced?
07:37Can the Minister give an update on internet connectivity?
07:40What is the UK doing with our partners to help restore internet access
07:44so that people in Iran can communicate
07:46and so that evidence can be gathered to hold the regime to account?
07:50And finally, what dialogue have ministers or officials had since last week
07:54about the Liberal Democrat proposal to pursue through the United Nations
07:58an International Criminal Court investigation into crimes against humanity
08:02perpetrated by the regime?
08:04Minister.
08:05Madam Deputy Speaker, I'm sure my Liberal Democrat colleague
08:10knows that the processes of the ICC are independent of the decisions of ministers here,
08:15and rightly so.
08:16Turning to his other questions, you will know better than anyone,
08:22I won't presume to dictate dates in which the House might pass legislation.
08:28I can confirm that we are progressing that legislation at pace.
08:32I'd just like to say a little bit about the impact of the sanctions
08:35that we have introduced, including most recently.
08:37I know the House is aware that we now have over 550 sanctions on Iran.
08:44Most recently, in October, we sanctioned the IRGC financier Ali Ansari
08:49as an indication of the scale and the efficacy of our sanction regime.
08:53I'm pleased to confirm to the House that has led to the freezing
08:56of over £100 million worth in UK property.
09:00There is exposure from Iran to the UK, and we will take every step required.
09:03Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.
09:08We must not be indifferent to the pleas of the Iranian people.
09:12What we're seeing is absolutely horrific.
09:15And I welcome sanctions, but we have to be honest.
09:19Sanctions are unlikely to change the behaviour of this brutal, murderous regime.
09:24The people of Iran are fighting for their freedom.
09:28It's possible that the US may still intervene.
09:31And can he reassure me that the UK government is thinking
09:35about how it can offer meaningful support to the people in Iran
09:39who are fighting for their freedom?
09:42Madam Deputy Speaker, I've set out the position that we are taking
09:49in relation to these issues.
09:50I would not wish to give the impression to the House
09:53that those protesters are not at risk.
09:56Clearly they are.
09:56And we've seen the devastating consequences of regime behaviour
10:00in the most recent days.
10:02We will do everything that we can to ensure that the rights
10:05of those protesters are protected.
10:07And we're discussing closely with our allies what steps we can take.
10:11Sir David Davies.
10:12This is a despicable regime that goes into state terrorism
10:16both at home and abroad.
10:18Its principal instrument of its terrorism abroad is the IRGC.
10:22This is now the sixth time I've called on Prime Ministers and Ministers.
10:26When are we going to proscribe the IRGC?
10:29The excuse historically given is we want to keep our embassy open.
10:32It's now shut, demonstrating quite how futile this argument is.
10:37When are we going to proscribe this terrorist order?
10:39Yes.
10:41Madam Deputy Speaker, I just want to be clear about the status
10:44of our embassy in Tehran.
10:46While it is true that we have withdrawn our staff,
10:49we have not closed our embassy,
10:50I expect that the embassy will be fully functional again soon,
10:54I hope, with some of this behind us.
10:57The questions around the IRGC,
11:00which I know the right honourable gentleman has raised
11:02on a number of occasions, as have others in the House.
11:07We conducted the Jonathan Hall review.
11:11Jonathan Hall found that it is important that we have a tool
11:14that is focused on the particularities of the threats
11:17from Iran and the IRGC.
11:19That is a different threat from that which emanates
11:22from a simple terrorist group, if I may use that language.
11:25We're committed to taking forward those recommendations
11:28through the creation of a straight threats prescription-like tool,
11:32and we'll be coming back for a parliamentary time to do that.
11:35Dem and Lee's thoughts.
11:36Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.
11:40Chillingly, the head of the Iranian judiciary
11:42has publicly called for the acceleration of executions of protesters.
11:48The killing in Iran is not stopping.
11:51Last week, when the Foreign Secretary talked of further sanctions
11:55and sexual measures, she linked those to the nuclear industry.
11:59Can I please ask the Minister now to confirm
12:03that the UK will be seeking to go further than sanctions applied
12:07in relation to nuclear issues,
12:09to also seek to impose them on human rights grounds
12:12for those who have been linked with this brutal Iranian regime?
12:18Madam Deputy Speaker, I pay tribute to my right honourable friend
12:23who's got considerable experience in these matters.
12:26She is right to differentiate between the snapback-related sanctions
12:29which are in progress and which the Shadow Foreign Secretary
12:33and I have corresponded on recently.
12:35We are also, I can confirm, separately considering human rights sanctions
12:39in relation to the abuses that we've seen.
12:42Sir Gavin Williamson.
12:43Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.
12:44I think many of us will have read the reports
12:46in the Sunday Times yesterday,
12:48which detailed about how IRGC forces burnt alive so many,
12:54machine gunned down so many,
12:56and this isn't happening in just one town or one city,
13:00but right across Iran.
13:02We have very few levers in this country to make a difference,
13:05but one of them is to prescribe the IRGC.
13:09Please, Minister, just do it and make some small difference
13:14to send a clear message and make the Iranian people understand
13:18that we stand with them.
13:22Madam Deputy, I don't have a great deal to add to the answer
13:24I've already given to the right honourable general opposite,
13:28but I would say we are under no illusions
13:30about the threat that the IRGC pose.
13:33The right honourable gentleman talks about what they are doing in Iran.
13:37Nobody on this side of the House has lost track of the fact
13:40that there have also been more than 20 plots linked to Iran,
13:44linked to the IRGC, in this country as well.
13:46That is why it's so important to us
13:47that we have a tool focused on the particularities
13:50of a state-based threat
13:52rather than treating them just as terrorists.
13:54James Nish.
13:55Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.
13:57The world has been appalled by the scenes of bloodshed
13:59that we have seen.
14:01Can I ask the Minister to outline
14:02what discussions the Government is having
14:04with our G7 colleagues and European colleagues
14:06to make sure that we send out a united message
14:08of condemnation and a common demand
14:11for the rights of the Iranian people to be respected?
14:14Minister.
14:16I can confirm to the House
14:17that both the Front Secretary and I
14:18have been in extensive discussions
14:20over the last few days
14:21and I expect those to continue this week,
14:22including at Davos.
14:24Monica Harding.
14:25Madam Deputy Speaker,
14:27the Iranian government is massacring civilians.
14:30Brave and young protesters
14:31are risking their lives for freedom and dignity
14:33against a violent and corrupt regime.
14:36And the Minister has spoken about the thousands
14:38that we fear have lost their lives
14:41and the Times are reporting
14:41that up to 16,000 people may have died
14:44and this in darkness
14:45in an age when we can see news
14:47as it happens in the palm of our hands
14:49we see nothing because of the internet crackdown.
14:52So what is the Government doing
14:53to support internet access across Iran
14:55so that we can collect evidence
14:57to hold the perpetrators to account
15:00for this brutality system?
15:04Madam Deputy Speaker,
15:04the Honourable Lady,
15:05asks important questions.
15:06We are working with our allies
15:07and we continue to press the Iranians,
15:10both in public and in private.
15:11They must restore internet access.
15:13The brutal regime in Iran
15:20has destroyed so many lives
15:22and as a woman and as a feminist
15:23I want to pay particular tribute
15:25to the brave women of Iran
15:27fighting for their freedom
15:29against such odds.
15:32They were promised support
15:33by President Trump.
15:35Can the Minister say
15:36what form that support may take
15:38and what involvement the UK may or may not have
15:41and whether it is dependent
15:43on executions taking place?
15:46And on the technical front,
15:47can he write to me in my role
15:49as the Chair of the Technology Select Committee
15:51and explain exactly how
15:53the Iranian regime was able
15:55to turn off access to the internet?
15:58Do they have some switch somewhere?
16:00And what, with our unique technical expertise,
16:04the UK is doing to address that?
16:06Thank you, Mr. Zaham.
16:09I just want to join
16:11with the Honourable Lady
16:13and her comments
16:13about the bravery of the protesters.
16:15I'm sure we've all seen
16:16pictures of incredibly courageous protesters,
16:19often young women,
16:21showing defiance against a regime
16:22clearly, deeply intent
16:25on not only stopping the protests
16:27but silencing the voices
16:29and ensuring that nobody can see them.
16:31They are admirable people
16:33asserting their rights.
16:35It is clearly an inalienable right
16:38of the Iranian people
16:39to be able to protest
16:40and that is what we want to see.
16:42I am happy to write
16:43to the Honourable Lady,
16:44though I will,
16:44for reasons she understands,
16:45not be able to delve
16:47too deeply into technical questions
16:50where they are sensitive.
16:52David Reid.
16:53Does the Minister's Department
16:56assess that the Iranian regime
16:58can come back from this
16:59and go into a position of strength?
17:02And if so,
17:03does he assess that the sanctions packages
17:05that are being put forward now
17:07are enough to limit that from happening?
17:10Mr.
17:11Member of the Speaker,
17:12I'm grateful for the opportunity
17:13to set out our position
17:15on the future of Iran.
17:18That is clearly a matter
17:19for the Iranian people.
17:20What we are pressing,
17:21what we are focused on
17:23is the Iranian authorities
17:25ensuring their people
17:26can exercise their right
17:27to peaceful protest.
17:29What happens next
17:30is clearly a question
17:31for the Iranian people,
17:32not for London,
17:33not for Washington,
17:34but for the Iranian people themselves.
17:36That is a message
17:36we have delivered consistently
17:38to the Iranian regime.
17:40They are saying otherwise,
17:41publicly particularly,
17:43and I'm grateful for him
17:44giving me the opportunity
17:45to set that out
17:46from the dispatch box so clearly.
17:48David Taylor.
17:48Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.
17:51The Trump administration
17:52initially indicated
17:53that they would protect protesters
17:55when they came out.
17:56And came out,
17:56they have done.
17:57Drodes have come out.
17:58But of course,
17:59as many others have indicated,
18:00there are thousands upon thousands
18:02who are now being killed.
18:04I know we worry
18:04about outside interference,
18:06but if you listen
18:07to a lot of these protesters,
18:08they are of course
18:09actually demanding
18:10some help from outside.
18:12And I don't want to be standing,
18:14I'm sure the rest of us
18:14don't want to be standing here
18:15in a few years' time,
18:17where we look back
18:18and we think,
18:18what if,
18:19given that we've just gone
18:20through the Syria civil war
18:21where half a million died
18:22when a simple,
18:23well not simple,
18:24but a straightforward
18:25no-fly zone
18:26could have protected them
18:27from being killed.
18:28So could I urge ministers
18:30to keep absolutely everything
18:31on the table
18:32and to talk to partners
18:34about what possible ways
18:36we might be able
18:37to degrade the IRGC's abilities
18:39to be killing thousands
18:41of protesters,
18:42because I don't think
18:43it's going to stop.
18:44Minister.
18:47Madam Deputy Speaker,
18:48I'm grateful
18:48to my honourable friend
18:50for his continued commitment
18:52to these issues
18:53and indeed to those in Syria
18:54which he's been engaged in
18:56for some time.
18:57As I said earlier,
18:58we are deeply concerned
18:59about the use of violence
19:00against protesters.
19:01We strongly condemn
19:02the killings of protesters
19:03and they must be able
19:04to exercise their right
19:05to peaceful process
19:06without fear of reprisal.
19:08Alicia Kearns.
19:09Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.
19:10There are reports
19:11the US is planning
19:12airstrikes for action in Iran
19:13following the US's
19:14last airstrikes in Iran
19:16in response to five rockets
19:17at Al-Adid Air Base in Qatar.
19:19Now that is co-located,
19:20that base,
19:21which has recently partly
19:21evacuated with a prison
19:23in Qatar
19:23where Matthew Pascoe
19:24is being detained.
19:26So can the government
19:26please advise the House
19:28what they are doing
19:29to make sure that Matthew Pascoe
19:30will be safe
19:31and any British nationals
19:32who may be in the nearby area
19:33but also what is being done
19:34to ensure the safety
19:35of the foremans
19:36who continue to be powered
19:37in Evan Prison.
19:37And we know in the past
19:39that Iranians often
19:40will seek to overthrow
19:41the prisons rightly
19:42because of all those
19:42who are being held unjustly there.
19:44Minister.
19:46Madam Deputy Speaker,
19:47the Honourable Lady
19:49asks a series
19:49of important questions.
19:50On our general posture
19:52in the region,
19:54I don't want to comment
19:55in great detail
19:56about force protection questions
19:58in relation to our bases,
19:59though I'm sure
19:59she'll be aware of reports
20:00we're working closely
20:02with our American counterparts
20:03on those questions.
20:04In relation to those detained,
20:06both the foremans
20:07and others,
20:09I can confirm
20:10I've been in touch
20:11with the families.
20:12They're very much
20:12at the foremost
20:13of our minds.
20:15I must have a draw
20:16of the House
20:16and the public's attention
20:17to our travel advice.
20:19With the Embassy withdrawn,
20:20there is a limit
20:21to what can be done.
20:22We cannot offer
20:23a full consular package
20:25of assistance in Iran.
20:27This is a fast-moving situation.
20:28We try to keep
20:29our travel advice
20:29as up-to-date as possible
20:31to reflect
20:31the very latest developments.
20:32Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.
20:36For almost 50 years,
20:38Iranians have found refuge
20:41in the UK
20:42and many have made
20:43their homes in West London.
20:45One wrote to me
20:46saying that even after 20 years,
20:49Iran still runs
20:51through his veins.
20:53So could the Minister
20:54outline how the government
20:55is working
20:56with the Iranian diaspora
20:58in the UK
20:59to provide support
21:01and reassurance to them
21:02and also to their families
21:04still in Iran?
21:06Minister.
21:08Madam Deputy Speaker,
21:09I know how many
21:10families in the UK
21:12will feel very personally
21:14affected by developments
21:15in Iran.
21:17Of course,
21:18where there are
21:18consular-related questions,
21:20that is very much
21:22on our minds,
21:23both dual nationals
21:24and mononationals,
21:25in relation to wider
21:26community concerns.
21:28I'm afraid it's a question
21:29for MHCR, Chief.
21:30Mickey Slade.
21:32Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.
21:34My British Iranian residents
21:35are deeply worried
21:36about their families
21:37and the Minister
21:38has said that
21:39he hopes the Embassy
21:40will reopen soon,
21:42but time isn't
21:43on the side
21:44of the Iranian people.
21:45So when is soon
21:46likely to be
21:47and how quickly
21:48should we be expecting
21:50the prescription
21:50of the IRCG?
21:52Minister.
21:55Madam Deputy Speaker,
21:56I don't want to sound
21:57evasive either
21:58about the delicate
22:00decisions
22:01that we need to make
22:03about posture
22:03across the region
22:04or indeed
22:05about parliamentary time,
22:06but I'm afraid
22:06I'm not able to be drawn
22:07any further on either.
22:09Rachel Blay.
22:10Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.
22:11The last few weeks
22:12I've been inundated
22:13with communication
22:14from constituents
22:16who are part of
22:16the Iranian diaspora.
22:18It is very difficult
22:19to convey the extent
22:21of their agony
22:21about their lack
22:22of contact
22:23with their family
22:24and the fear
22:24that they feel
22:25for their loved ones.
22:27They have said to me
22:28they really want
22:29to see the strongest
22:31possible action
22:31on sanctions
22:32and they want to see
22:33the fastest possible
22:34progress
22:35on prescribing
22:36the IRGC.
22:37I've listened carefully
22:38to what the Minister
22:39had to say
22:40about the particularities
22:42of state-backed terror.
22:44I would ask him now
22:45to set out
22:45in some more detail
22:46about why he believes
22:48that that will take
22:49some further time
22:50in order that we can
22:51actually tackle
22:52this vile
22:54state-backed terror
22:55that is affecting
22:56us all so much.
22:57Mr.
22:59Madam Deputy Speaker,
23:00I'm grateful
23:00to my honourable
23:02friend both
23:04for the question
23:04and I know
23:04the care she puts
23:06into these issues
23:07in her constituency.
23:09The Jonathan Hall
23:10review sets out
23:11some of the reasons
23:11why, in his view,
23:13a state-focused
23:16prescription-like
23:17tool is necessary.
23:19We accept
23:19those recommendations
23:20than we intend
23:21to legislate.
23:22Stephen Flynn.
23:23Thank you,
23:24Madam Deputy Speaker.
23:25There appears,
23:26and in fact
23:26there is a shared
23:27horror across
23:28the Chamber
23:28of the killing
23:29of protesters
23:30in Iran
23:31just as there is
23:32a shared condemnation
23:34of this brutal regime
23:35just as it appears
23:37that there is
23:37a shared view
23:38that the IRGC
23:39should be prescribed.
23:40Now, I've listened
23:41carefully to the
23:42Minister's answers
23:43but I would gently
23:44suggest to him
23:45that he has a consensus
23:46and he should use
23:47that consensus
23:48to prescribe
23:49the IRGC
23:50as soon as possible
23:51to send that
23:52clear message
23:53to the Iranian
23:54people
23:54that we stand
23:56with them.
23:58Minister.
24:00Madam Deputy Speaker,
24:01the Honourable Gentleman's
24:02points are
24:03well noted.
24:04Just for the clarity
24:05of the House,
24:05the legislation
24:07will be Home Office
24:07rather than Foreign Office
24:08legislation but I'll
24:09certainly pass on
24:10the strength of this
24:10feeling to the Security
24:11Minister.
24:12Alex Servo.
24:12Madam Deputy Speaker,
24:13the Islamic Revolutionary
24:15Guard is undertaking
24:16and leading
24:17actually the brutal
24:19repression and murder
24:20of so many Iranians
24:22fighting for their
24:23freedom but we know
24:25that the IRGC
24:27used two registered
24:28cryptocurrency exchanges
24:29to move approximately
24:30a billion dollars
24:31since 2023
24:33evading international
24:34sanctions.
24:36ZSX and Zedseon
24:37rooted funds between
24:38IRGC-controlled
24:39wallets, offshore
24:40intermediaries and
24:41Iranian crypto
24:41companies.
24:42What's the Government
24:43doing to ensure
24:43that the IRGC
24:44cannot be funding
24:45this brutal
24:46crackdown
24:47through British
24:49based companies?
24:50Minister.
24:54If my Honourable
24:56Friend writes to me
24:57I'm happy to
24:57provide a more
24:58detailed answer
24:59in writing
25:00but clearly our
25:01sanctions regime
25:02is wide ranging
25:03and any British
25:04companies would need
25:05to be taking very
25:05careful attention
25:06to it.
25:07It sounds on the
25:08face of it like
25:09this would not be
25:09consistent with our
25:10arrangements but
25:11please if you
25:11write to me
25:11then I'll respond.
25:13Dr Andrew Merritt
25:14Thank you Madam
25:14Deputy Speaker.
25:15The Minister and I
25:16share a dubious
25:16distinction that is
25:18having summoned
25:19Iranian ambassadors
25:20but does not agree
25:21with me whether
25:22it's Ambassador
25:23Mousavi or
25:25Banadinejad or
25:27Abbas Arachi
25:28it doesn't really
25:29matter because
25:30they're not the
25:31problem.
25:31The problem is the
25:32IRGC and its
25:33constituent parts.
25:35And when he
25:35accepts that
25:37Jonathan Hall
25:38KC's review is
25:40not particularly
25:40controversial he
25:42makes recommendations
25:43who would
25:43effectively get
25:44around the
25:45problem he has
25:46around prescription
25:47of state actors
25:49there's cross-party
25:50agreement and
25:51agreement right
25:52across this house
25:53that would get
25:54this measure through
25:55in a day and
25:57it's not as if we
25:57don't have enough
25:58time as today's
25:59cancellation of
26:00business is shown.
26:02Minister.
26:02I'm wounded
26:05Madam Deputy
26:06Speaker for the
26:07comparison to be
26:08dubious on time
26:10I would gently
26:10say to my
26:11predecessor that
26:12there was rather
26:12a lot of time
26:13I'm glad to see
26:15the former
26:15foreign secretary
26:16in his place
26:16there was rather
26:17a lot of time
26:18over the last
26:1814 years to
26:19pass these things
26:20but we've done
26:21the whole review
26:22and we're committed
26:23to implementing it.
26:24Gareth Snell
26:25Thank you very
26:26much Madam
26:27Deputy Speaker
26:27Madam Deputy
26:28Speaker the
26:29brutal regime in
26:30Iran is well
26:31known to be
26:32attacking its own
26:33people at home
26:33but it also poses
26:34one of the largest
26:35credible threats to
26:36Jewish people here
26:36in the UK and
26:38as the regime is
26:39currently blaming
26:40Israelis and Jews
26:42and Zionists for
26:43being responsible
26:44for the protests
26:45can the Minister
26:45set out what
26:46discussions are
26:47happening across
26:47government to
26:48make sure that
26:49those proxies and
26:49agents that we know
26:50are in the UK are
26:52being monitored to
26:53make sure that the
26:54Jewish population
26:54in the UK don't
26:55feel the backlash
26:56as the result of
26:56the protests in
26:57Iran.
26:58Minister.
26:59I have said
27:01repeatedly in no
27:02uncertain terms as
27:03has the Foreign
27:04Secretary to our
27:05Iranian counterparts
27:06that any threat
27:08in the UK to
27:10British people of
27:10any faith or
27:12denomination in
27:13any building and
27:14indeed any other
27:16diplomatic premises
27:17in the UK will
27:19be treated with the
27:20utmost seriousness.
27:21I've reiterated that
27:22strength of feeling
27:23to a range of
27:24representatives from
27:25the Jewish
27:25community in the
27:26UK and I'm
27:26happy to reiterate
27:27it again from
27:28the dispatch
27:28box.
27:29Sir Julian Lewis.
27:30Last Tuesday
27:32afternoon, President
27:35Trump took a
27:36short break from
27:39attacking America's
27:41NATO allies to
27:43write on Truth
27:44Social the
27:45following.
27:46Iranian
27:46patriots, keep
27:48protesting, take
27:49over your
27:50institutions, adding
27:52help, help is on
27:53its way.
27:54Has the
27:55government the
27:56faintest idea of
27:58what he was
27:58talking about?
28:04Madam Deputy
28:05Speaker, US
28:07posture and policy
28:08towards Iran is
28:09I'm afraid a matter
28:10for the US
28:10Governor.
28:12Dr Peter
28:12Prinsley.
28:13Thank you Madam
28:14Deputy Speaker.
28:15Many in this
28:16House are concerned
28:17about the malign
28:18influence of the
28:19Ayatollahs in our
28:21own country.
28:22There has been
28:23dreadful slaughter
28:23on the streets of
28:24Iran but curiously
28:26little protest on
28:27the streets of
28:28Britain.
28:29What a contrast to
28:30the regular protests
28:31sometimes intimidatory
28:33to local Jewish
28:34people about the
28:35terrible war in
28:37Israel and
28:38Palestine.
28:39Could the
28:39aforementioned
28:40malign influence
28:41explain this?
28:43Minister.
28:46Madam Deputy
28:47Speaker, as the
28:49Home Secretary has
28:49said, we are
28:51aware of the
28:52very considerable
28:52concern that the
28:54ongoing protests
28:55have caused
28:56particularly in
28:58places of real
28:58sensitivity outside
28:59synagogues etc.
29:00And we're taking
29:01measures to address
29:02it.
29:02Dr Al Pinkerton.
29:04Thank you Madam
29:05Deputy Speaker.
29:06At the weekend I
29:06visited several
29:07Iranian owned
29:08businesses in my
29:09community to show
29:09my support and
29:10solidarity and what
29:12those business
29:12owners told me was
29:13that they have
29:14relatives inside
29:14Iran who are
29:15going to extreme
29:16and increasingly
29:17extreme lengths in
29:18order to pick up
29:19information from the
29:20outside world due
29:21to the internet
29:21shutdowns, travelling
29:22close to the border
29:23with Iraq to pick up
29:24a mobile phone signal
29:25or travelling across
29:26towns in order to
29:27connect to the
29:28community owned
29:29Starlink network.
29:31They express their
29:32frustration at the
29:33lack of activity as
29:35they see it from the
29:35British government but
29:36also fears that the
29:37US government have
29:38marched protesters up
29:39to the top of the
29:40hill and have left
29:41them abandoned there.
29:42So can I ask the
29:43Minister, what
29:44coordination has he
29:46had with our, if I
29:48can still call them
29:48this, American allies
29:50about their approach
29:51and are we aligned
29:52with them on what
29:53we are doing in
29:54Iran?
29:55Minister.
29:58Madam
29:58Deputy Speaker, I
29:59understand the degree
30:02of anxiety within
30:03Iran.
30:04The restriction of the
30:05internet since the
30:058th of January is
30:06obviously a source of
30:08real concern, both to
30:10clearly Iranians in
30:11Iran, to those with
30:13family links there, and
30:14of course, to those
30:16few but nonetheless
30:18profoundly affected
30:19British families who
30:21have loved ones
30:22detained who are also
30:23suffering from these
30:24restrictions.
30:26As I said earlier,
30:28clearly US policy and
30:30posture towards Iran is
30:31a matter for them, but
30:32we are in close
30:33consultations and
30:34discussions with our
30:35American and indeed
30:36other counterparts.
30:38David Pinter.
30:40Thank you, Madam
30:41Deputy Speaker.
30:41and I share the
30:42Minister's horror at
30:43the brutal repression
30:44we have seen in Iran.
30:46Hendon is home to a
30:47large and vibrant
30:48Iranian community and
30:49we are all horrified
30:51beyond words to see
30:52the savage, murderous
30:53violence being meted
30:54out by the Iranian
30:55regime against
30:56protesters.
30:57But is not the
30:58reality that, even
30:59when there aren't
31:00protests in the
31:01street, the regime
31:02is engaged in
31:03industrial levels of
31:04violence against its
31:05own people, with
31:06executions in Iran
31:08more than doubling in
31:09the last year alone?
31:10Does the Minister
31:11agree with me that
31:12we must keep up the
31:13pressure on the
31:14Iranian regime to
31:15end this barbarity
31:16once and for all and
31:17let the Iranian people
31:18exercise their
31:19fundamental rights?
31:20I do.
31:24We've spoken in some
31:26detail about the
31:27current events in
31:28relation to the
31:29protesters, but I
31:29can also confirm to
31:30the House that we
31:30oppose any and all
31:32executions in Iran as
31:33we do across the
31:34world.
31:35Richard Tice.
31:36Thank you, Madam
31:37Deputy Speaker.
31:37As thousands of
31:38brave Iranian
31:39protesters are
31:40slaughtered on the
31:41streets of Iran, I
31:42was humbled yesterday
31:43to speak in front of
31:45thousands of wonderful
31:46Iranians here in
31:47Whitehall, and they
31:48asked me to ask the
31:50government a simple
31:51question.
31:52How much more, how
31:53much more will it
31:55take this government to
31:56do the right thing and
31:57prescribe the terror
31:59group, the IRGC, and
32:00while they're at it,
32:01prescribe the Muslim
32:03Brotherhood?
32:03Minister?
32:06I'm grateful to my
32:07Lincolnshire colleague for
32:08the question.
32:10I don't have a great deal
32:11more to add on the IRGC
32:12discussions that we've
32:13already had this
32:14afternoon, where the
32:16Muslim Brotherhood is a
32:17term that covers a whole
32:18range of groups,
32:19including, of course,
32:21depending on how you
32:22want to consider it,
32:23Hamas itself.
32:24Where there is a violent
32:26threat to the UK, then
32:27we will, of course, take
32:27prescription action as
32:28necessary.
32:29John Slinger.
32:31Thank you, Madam Deputy
32:32Speaker, and I thank the
32:34Minister for his
32:34statement, and I condemn
32:35the violent oppression of
32:37the Iranian people.
32:39Will the Minister join me
32:40in paying tribute to the
32:42work of the BBC World
32:43Service and the BBC
32:45Persian Service, both in
32:46getting free journalism
32:50and the truth into that
32:53country, and also getting
32:55their stories of bravery
32:57and courage and suffering
32:58out to the wider world?
33:01Minister.
33:02I will.
33:03BBC World Service and
33:04indeed BBC Persian are a
33:06lifeline, as so many other
33:07of the World Service
33:08channels are, and I pay
33:10tribute to the vital work
33:11that they do in reporting
33:13even amongst the most
33:14difficult circumstances.
33:15Ben Obse, Jack Day.
33:17Thank you, Madam Deputy
33:17Speaker.
33:18If I may, I just want to
33:19return to the topic of
33:20Craig and Lindsay Foreman.
33:21The Minister will obviously
33:22be aware that they've now
33:23been imprisoned for over a
33:24year and are currently in
33:25Eben prison, regardless
33:26of the harshest prison in
33:27Iran.
33:28Since the outbreak of
33:30violence in Iran in recent
33:31weeks, can he just give us
33:33an update in the House as to
33:34their medical condition, and
33:36can he give us any
33:37assurances in terms of the
33:38current medical condition and
33:39the last time he was
33:40informed of their medical
33:41condition, and whether they
33:42are currently still safe?
33:43Thank you, Stan.
33:44Madam Deputy Speaker, I'm sure the
33:47Honourable Gentleman will
33:48appreciate it.
33:48I don't want to provide too
33:50much personal information to
33:51the House, but I can confirm
33:52that we have had consular
33:54access relatively recently, and
33:55I've spoken to the families I
33:57think twice since the protest
33:58began.
33:59They're very much at the
34:00foremost of my mind.
34:01Jonathan Davies.
34:02Thank you very much, Madam
34:03Deputy Speaker.
34:03These scenes from Iran are
34:05absolutely barbaric, and those
34:07executions that we are aware of
34:09are an affront to human
34:10dignity.
34:10But often, wherever you look
34:12around the world, you see the
34:13malign influence of Iran,
34:16including here, and our own
34:17national security strategy
34:18published in June last year
34:20highlighted that.
34:21So can the Minister assure me
34:23that our law enforcement is
34:25taking every step possible to
34:26manage that risk?
34:27And if I may, just following on
34:28from the question raised by my
34:30Honourable Friend, the member
34:31for Rugby, perhaps you would
34:33like to make a contribution to the
34:35BBC Charter Review Consultation
34:37in respect of the very positive
34:38work that the BBC is doing in
34:40that troubled part of the world.
34:42Minister.
34:45I thank my Honourable Friend
34:46for the question.
34:47The Foreign Office obviously
34:48has a special relationship
34:50with the BBC, given our role
34:52in the World Service, which we
34:53have talked about already in
34:55this session.
34:57And I can confirm to the
34:58House that law enforcement is
35:01making full use of the powers
35:02afforded them, including under
35:04the National Security Act of
35:052023, and it's under that act
35:07that there has been recent
35:10arrests in May of last year
35:12of those associated with
35:14potential violence.
35:15Manuela Portogallo.
35:17Thank you, Madam Deputy
35:18Speaker.
35:19My constituents have contacted
35:20me sick with worry they have
35:22not heard from their loved ones
35:24for over a week.
35:25And there are reports of tens of
35:27thousands of citizens being
35:29killed now, but the number
35:31could be higher because of the
35:32deliberate communication black
35:35couch.
35:36So this is now an international
35:37human rights emergency.
35:39Will the government now act
35:41faster on the prescription of
35:43the IRGC?
35:44And will the Minister support
35:46stronger diplomatic consequences
35:48for this brutal regime?
35:50Minister.
35:52Madam Deputy Speaker, we've
35:54discussed the IRGC
35:56prescription process and I don't
35:59have very much further to add on
36:00the more detailed timing
36:01questions she's seeking to press
36:03me on on diplomatic consequences.
36:05I've set out some of the actions
36:07we have taken in recent days and
36:08I imagine we'll have more to tell
36:09the House shortly, including in
36:11FCODU.
36:12FCODU.
36:13All words tomorrow.
36:14Chris Fiennes.
36:15Thank you, Madam Deputy
36:16Speaker.
36:17The scenes that we see in Iran are
36:18obviously absolutely terrible.
36:20I'm also concerned about the
36:21impact that the ongoing situation
36:22Iran is going to have on safety in
36:24this country as well.
36:26So can I ask the Minister to pass
36:28on my thanks to the Foreign
36:29Secretary for her decision in a
36:31previous role to list Iran under the
36:32hearts to a Foreign Influence
36:34Registration Scheme, but can I ask
36:35him to be specific as to what
36:36difference this will make?
36:38Minister.
36:40I'm grateful to my
36:42honorable friends.
36:43Putting Iran on the first regime
36:47means that there is a new
36:48offence of seeking to act on
36:50behalf of the Iranian regime in the
36:52UK without properly
36:53so declaring.
36:56That means that it is harder for
36:59people to do this in this country
37:00without exposing them to the force of
37:03law enforcement.
37:03And as I said to my
37:05honorable friend from
37:06Derbyshire in the last answer,
37:09UK law enforcement has proven
37:10itself capable of finding these
37:11people and ensuring
37:12prosecutions.
37:14Chris Cochland.
37:15Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.
37:16There have been many calls across the
37:17chamber for sanctions and to
37:18prescribe the IRGC, which I fully
37:20support.
37:21But I think we need to be honest
37:22that those measures are unlikely to
37:24save the lives of protesters from a
37:26regime in fear of its survival.
37:27But I would point out, however, that
37:29the drone strikes against Soleimani,
37:31the head of the IRGC in 2020, did
37:33influence Iranian behavior.
37:36And an aspect of these protests is
37:38that they follow Western military
37:39intervention.
37:41And as the Honourable Member pointed
37:42out, the US President has explicitly
37:44called for them to overthrow the
37:46regime.
37:47This reminds me of the 1991 Shia
37:49uprisings in Iraq when President
37:51Bush did exactly the same in the
37:52aftermath of the Gulf War and left
37:54them aside to be massacred by
37:56Saddam Hussein's helicopter gunships.
37:58Is the Minister considering this
37:59legacy in his deliberations?
38:01Minister.
38:03Madam Deputy Speaker, across the
38:05Middle East, I'm reluctant to focus
38:06on a particular incident in the long
38:10and I'm afraid fraught history of
38:14both interventions and violence that
38:17follows.
38:17But of course, we're considering the
38:19broader history of the wider region as
38:20we consider our response.
38:22Dr. Ali Chowles.
38:23Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.
38:24I share the horror expressed by
38:26colleagues from across the House at
38:28the brutal, repressive crackdown on
38:30protesters in Iran and I'd like to
38:32pay tribute particularly to the
38:34bravery of women protesters in
38:36particular fighting for their
38:38rights.
38:39Among the many concerning stories now
38:41emerging is testimony of the use of
38:44sexual assault as a weapon of
38:46repression.
38:47Can I ask the Minister, is this
38:48something specifically that he and
38:50the Foreign Secretary raised in their
38:51interactions with representatives of the
38:53Iranian regime recently and can he set
38:57out in more detail to the House the
38:59timetable for next steps including
39:01implementation of the additional
39:02sanctions that the Foreign Secretary
39:04referred to last week?
39:06Minister.
39:09Madam Deputy Speaker, I can confirm to the
39:13House that the Iranian representatives
39:15were left in no doubt about the
39:18strength of our views.
39:19These were not terribly long conversations
39:21so we weren't able to get into the full
39:24detail of our concerns and I don't have
39:26very much more I can add on the timing of
39:28further sanctions.
39:30Martin Wrigley.
39:32Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.
39:33For me, this is personal.
39:35This reminds me of what I saw when I was in
39:37Tehran nearly 50 years ago at the beginning
39:39of the Revolution.
39:40My father was appointed naval attache to the
39:43British Embassy in Tehran before and during the
39:45Revolution.
39:45We saw some awful things.
39:47What kept us going when the nights were cold,
39:50the powers off, the phones were cut, the guns
39:53were going off outside and people were
39:54demonstrating on rooftops nearby was the
39:57British World Service broadcasting where we
39:59could rely on that information.
40:01What extra support is the Minister giving the
40:04BBC to make sure that the World Service and
40:06BBC Persian is boosted in that area to get the
40:09information through, to give them that lifeline
40:11that I had before I took the last flight out,
40:14before Khomeini arrived back?
40:16Minister.
40:18Madam Deputy Speaker, I'm very grateful to the
40:21honourable gentleman for their question and I
40:23hope he won't mind if I also pay tribute to the
40:26fact he was a, I hope he doesn't mind me saying,
40:29a diplomat perhaps.
40:30And I know from my own service, as I know many in
40:35the House will be familiar with, it's often
40:37families, particularly in circumstances like that,
40:39and it's families of the diplomatic service now who
40:42often face the same worries and the same hardships of
40:46diplomats in difficult positions.
40:48That was obviously very much on our mind as we
40:50considered the position of the embassy in Tehran last
40:53week and it continues to be on our mind across the world
40:55where our brave diplomats face situations of peril.
41:00In relation to his generous words about the World Service,
41:04I echoed them and I can confirm that we are thinking about
41:07how the World Service can be ensured, its future can be
41:10ensured so that it can continue to provide the vital
41:12functions that it does.
41:14Sarah Clarkson.
41:15Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.
41:17Given the horrific scenes we saw in London over the weekend
41:21of pro-democracy protesters being attacked by the police,
41:25what steps will the minister take to ensure that peaceful
41:28protests can take place in this country?
41:32Minister.
41:36We completely support peaceful protests, but it is also true
41:40that diplomatic premises are subject to particular protections
41:44under the law that applies in London as it does indeed in Tehran.
41:48There is a balance here and I was in discussions with the
41:51security minister through the weekend to ensure that we get it right.
41:53Madam Deputy Speaker, there were so many people killed,
41:59they were hosing the blood down the street using fire engines.
42:02It was the message coming out of my constituents' hometown.
42:06She has no idea if her mum and dad in Iran are safe during
42:09the communication blackout.
42:11When she asks me, as she no doubt will, why won't the government
42:15do everything they can to prescribe the IRGC, what would the minister
42:20have me tell her?
42:21Minister.
42:23Firstly, the anguish that I'm sure her constituent is suffering
42:27and so many constituents that will be in correspondence with MPs
42:31across the House.
42:32But I cannot imagine how I would feel when my own loved ones
42:36in a situation where communications was not certain.
42:39I feel it in relation to our consular cases and I know that it's felt
42:42by people right across the country.
42:45We will do everything that we can, both to try and ensure that the
42:48protesters are able to enjoy their rights and indeed that the
42:52communications restrictions are lifted.
42:55Iran has plunged into darkness since the 8th of January as Afghanistan
42:59plunged into darkness last year.
43:01This is a malign trend which we oppose completely and we will do everything
43:05we can to see that it is as temporary in Iran as it proved to be in Afghanistan.
43:10Jim Shannon.
43:12Thank you Madam Deputy Speaker.
43:13Can I thank the Minister for his answers?
43:15The Minister will be able to do no allusion as to the barbaric tactics that are currently
43:20being employed.
43:20Indeed, last week's statement made it very clear that the government is fully aware
43:24the strongly worded combination has not brought about any change.
43:28We have British citizens incarcerated and in danger.
43:31The IRGC have killed thousands, they've shot them in the head, the neck, in the face.
43:37It's been a shoot the kill policy by the IRGC.
43:39So what discussions has the Minister had with the United States of America who promised
43:44physical action to show Iran that the safety of our citizens in this nation and protect
43:52the Iranian citizens as well against a sustained terrorism and recent abhorrent actions will
43:57no longer be tolerated and physical action against the IRGC on the ground is what is needed.
44:03Minister.
44:05Madam Deputy Speaker, we've discussed already our attitude towards the protests.
44:12We are not threatening physical action against the IRGC in Tehran.
44:18What we want to see them do, and indeed the whole of the Iranian regime, is respect the
44:22rights of their people in accordance with international norms, ensure that the protesters
44:27can exercise their rights and lift these restrictions on the needs of them.
44:31And that concludes the urgent question, and I'll give a few moments for the front benches
44:36to swap over.
44:57Let's go.
45:07You
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